Aurora Expeditions (fleet) has revealed its forthcoming addition to the fleet, MS Douglas Mawson (fka Ocean Discoverer) marking its 3rd purpose-built small expedition vessel.
Scheduled to embark on its maiden voyage in late 2025, the Douglas Mawson will signal Aurora Expeditions' return to East Antarctica after a hiatus of 15 years. Its itineraries will include a voyage to East Antarctica, named Mawson's Antarctica in honor of the ship's namesake, departing from Hobart.
Accommodating an average of 154 passengers, the Douglas Mawson joins Aurora's Infinity Class vessels, named after pioneers in various fields, such as Greg Mortimer and Sylvia Earle.
Equipped with the revolutionary Ulstein X-BOW for enhanced stability and fuel efficiency, the ship will feature Nordic-inspired interior design across 11 different categories of staterooms and suites, many with private balconies. Additionally, the new vessel will offer single-berth cabins to cater to solo travelers.
Onboard amenities include two restaurants, two bars, an outdoor heated swimming pool, pool bar, Jacuzzis, a gym, sauna, relaxation and wellness areas, a library lounge, a citizen science center, lecture theater, and expansive observation decks for wildlife viewing.
Like its sisterships, the Douglas Mawson is designed to serve as a comfortable base camp for adventure, featuring Zodiac access points, a changing room, mudroom, and a dedicated science center for participative and educational Citizen Science programs.
Aurora Expeditions anticipates commencing voyages on the Douglas Mawson in December 2025, with details of the inaugural voyage and full program set to be announced in due course.
The vessel is named after Sir Douglas Mawson (1882-1958), a British-born Australian geologist, Antarctic explorer, and academic. Along with Roald Amundsen, Robert Falcon Scott, and Ernest Shackleton, Douglas Mawson was an expedition leader during the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration (1897 through 1922).